Afrofuturism
Other projects that offer similar approaches include Matthew Jordan-Miller Kenyatta’s The Museum of Hidden Genius: An Atlas of Afrotech, which chronicles the technologies developed by Black inventors, and the Sacred Red Rock Project, focused on returning a boulder sacred to the Kaw Nation back to its people in Kansas.
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In a Penn Today article detailing a design-build studio at the Weitzman School of Design, my role as the director of Justice & Belonging was highlighted. The Spring 2023 studio built on a course I led the previous spring, which focused on developing the identity of a Black cultural district in a part of West Philadelphia that straddles Lancaster Avenue. This initiative aimed to engage with the community to shape a cultural district that reflects and amplifies the rich Black heritage of the area.
The design-build studio faced an aggressive timeline, with the entire process—from site selection and community engagement to design and construction—being completed within a single semester. This challenging but rewarding experience underscored the importance of integrating community voices into urban design and construction processes, ensuring that the resulting spaces are meaningful and reflective of the local culture.
READ: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/weitzman-design-and-build-first-collaborate
In a Philadelphia Inquirer article discussing the future of urban planning in Philadelphia, I was quoted sharing my vision for what I call “Sankofa planning,” an approach that uses Black history as a guide for shaping the city’s future. As a professor and director of Justice and Belonging Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania, I emphasized the importance of integrating Black culture into the city’s streetscape, asking, “How can the binoculars of Black culture make its way out into the streetscape?”
I envision urban design elements like stoops for gathering, and iconography and signage that invite exploration of Black heritage. With Philadelphia restarting its comprehensive urban design plan, I see this as an opportunity to reset the city on an antiracist foundation. Serving as a member of the Philadelphia Art Commission, I believe this is a pivotal moment to expand the concept of “what deserves to be planned around and what deserves to be planned for,” ensuring that the city’s future design is inclusive and reflective of its diverse communities.
READ: https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq2/more-perfect-union-city-planning-inequality-parks-transit-water-20221206.html?outputType=default
In an Essence article titled “A New Day: Living, Loving, and Serving,” Malcolm Kenyatta and I, Matthew Jordan-Miller Kenyatta, were featured as part of a celebration of Black love and partnership. The article highlighted how we navigate our lives together, balancing love, public service, and activism.
Malcolm and I shared insights into how we support each other’s endeavors while also maintaining a strong, loving relationship. Malcolm, a Pennsylvania State Representative, and I, an academic and urban planner, discussed the challenges and rewards of being in the public eye while also nurturing our private lives. We emphasized the importance of love and mutual respect in our relationship, with Malcolm stating, “It’s about living authentically and supporting each other’s dreams.”
The article also touched on our shared commitment to social justice and the work we do to uplift our communities. We discussed how our relationship serves as a source of strength and inspiration in our respective careers, with both of us dedicated to making a positive impact in the world.
Essence portrayed our love story as a powerful example of how Black love can thrive in the face of challenges, serving as a beacon of hope and resilience for others. The piece concluded by emphasizing the joy and fulfillment we find in living, loving, and serving together.
READ: https://www.essence.com/love/relationships/a-new-day-living-loving-and-serving/
